Celtic will be doing everything they can to keep hold of Daizen Maeda this summer.
The Japan star, whose nation has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, is having a well-earned rest and isn’t currently on international duty following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Maeda scored 33 goals for Celtic this term, as Brendan Rodgers secured the domestic double, after narrowly missing out on the Treble after losing to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final on penalties.
One of the main reasons why Celtic were so successful, as well as making improvements in the Champions League, was because of the rip-roaring form of their all-action forward.
The 27-year-old has caught the attention of many across Europe, including transfer interest from Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce and Tottenham Hotspur, who recently sacked Ange Postecoglou.
How Celtic started transfer negotiations for Daizen Maeda, with Fenerbahce and Tottenham keen
Previously, Celtic fans weren’t happy when around ‘£10 million’ was quoted by the Turkish media for Maeda’s talents. That was never going to happen.
But now, Turkish outlet Sozcu have claimed that the champions of Scotland have started transfer negotiations at ‘£25 million’ for their PFA Player of the Year.
It has also been reported that things have been made to be ‘more difficult’ for Fenerbahce because Tottenham are also keen on the player.
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The good news for the Celtic Park faithful is that the club are putting a big price tag over their player’s head, but the bad news is the interest from Spurs, who have the money to spend after securing Champions League football, and how Mourinho’s side will play ‘all their cards’ to sign Maeda.
Breakdown of Maeda’s numbers for Celtic
When Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic in January, the club needed somebody to fill the striker void, and it wasn’t a new signing that came in, or Adam Idah, who did that, but Maeda.
The versatile forward played centrally and went goal crazy, including scoring against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.